Who's Real?

Acts 8:9-13 Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, 10 and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is the divine power known as the Great Power.” 11 They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic. 12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.
 
WE mentioned in the previous lesson that God had judged Samaria for their continual idolatry. This Satanic influence was still deeply influencing many people in Samaria.
   Simon, a sorcerer, had developed a following. He was proficient at magic, which is the false impression of supernatural skills. Satan had also given Simon the power to heal. This is difficult for us to understand. Healing is a good thing. How can the Evil One do anything good? How is it God allows him to influence people this way?
   The “good” healing is designed to disguise the truth. God seems to allow it as a way to test us. As mentioned, healing is not God’s primary purpose for mankind. Jesus warned us to be watchful: Matthew 24:24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect – if that were possible.
   Here’s the evil in Simon’s healing: Simon deceived Samaria to the point some considered him to be Messiah and exclaimed, “This man is the divine power known as the Great Power.”
   Then Philip came with the truth. People believed. They were baptized. Even Simon himself believed and was baptized. Simon’s life seemed to change. He seemed to reject Satan’s influence to be a constant companion to Philip. Was this true repentance? Or was Simon performing more sorcery.
   His constant association with Philip could have been an attempt to be noticed. Sometimes people will claim faith in Jesus, so they will find favor with people. The truth of a changed life becomes evident when one desires most of all to be close to Jesus.
   There is some indication that Simon did continue to lead people away from Jesus. A group of Gnostic “Christians” in the 1st century church claimed Simon as their founder. Gnostics believe that they have superior knowledge of spiritual matters. As a result they believe they are greater in God’s sight. The Gnostic uses their claim of Jesus’ salvation as an instrument of superiority.
   Jesus very clearly wants us to understand our salvation is his gift to us through the redemption of our sin. We receive it with humility, understanding it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8)
          The Holy Spirit seems to have inserted Simon into this account of the early church to help us understand the evidence of true salvation. We will see more of Simon when he encounters Peter.